This is the second vertical AI BL drama I've sat through, and honestly I went in knowing better. I had it on while I was doing cardio at the gym, and what struck me was just how much the plot echoed the last one I watched. Same step brother romance angle, same mystery girlfriend showing up near the end, same extra guy pining after one of the leads. Genuinely the only thing going for it was the runtime, the whole thing wrapped up in forty five minutes flat. The setup kicks off with Finn moving schools because his mom just married into money. He finds out his new step brother Aiden goes to the same place, and he's warned to keep his distance from him. Their first run in at school is rocky, just like you'd expect, but there's this odd pull between them neither can shake off. Finn keeps telling himself not to read into it because Aiden's straight and openly homophobic. Things shift when some kids start bullying Finn and the student council president, Ryan, steps in to ...
The story of the film is pretty straight forward and simple. See Joon is a popular actor who has recently being embroiled in a controversy about having hit his best friend. To avoid paparazzi, his talent management company make him live with Han Ji Woo, a handsome chef, so that he can stay away from public eye. The personalities of the two men could not be any different. While See Joon is optimistic, cheerful, happy guy, Ji Woo is a quiet person who is actually not enjoying the sudden company of a stranger. Him being popular and an actor doesn't affect Ji Woo at all. Meanwhile a female reporter is on her mission to find the truth behind the whole controversy. To keep himself busy, See Joon joins the restaurant so that he can learn to cook from Ji Woo and slowly, as you would expect, See Joon finds himself getting attracted to him. Initially Ji Woo is quite surprised with his advances, but eventually he gives in to his heart and the 2 boys are now together.
The two leads look good together and act well together but there is a lotto backstory missing here. Who is Ji Woo. Why is he so cold to See Joon at the every first meeting? Why work in restaurant? Is there a family issue? What else? We are told absolutely nothing about this character and it gets a bit messy for me, not knowing anything. See Joon's character is slightly more evolved. We slowly see his fame, his insecurities, his loneliness. With a plastered smile on his face, dimples flashing, he seeks attention and comfort from Ji Woo in odd ways. The pacing is beautifully done, and I love how things are not rushed nor too slow for this drama. They are taking their time and there is something within the story that makes it feel comforting. But even when the kiss happens, it happens a little too sudden. Also, oddly enough, besides the actors, you hardly see anyone in cafe, road, public places or anywhere. I mean, come on, these people cannot be living in a bubble where there is no one present at all.
Overall, this is a very simple, straight forward chill BL story with decent production values. The chemistry was good and the film passed on well. It son great shakes and will not give you anything new that we have not seen in the past. My expectations were a bit higher form the makers, given their previous work. This is an alright addition. (6.5/10)
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